supports Swiss representations in safeguarding Switzerland’s interests and in emergencies involving Swiss citizens abroad. In an emergency the representation responsible (embassy or consulate-general) must be contacted immediately.

Services and visa

All consular services and visa issues are provided by the Regional Consular Centre Nordic and Baltic Countries in Stockholm/Sweden.

A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Loss of or discharge from citizenship

Children who are born abroad and whose mother or father is a Swiss citizen must be registered with a Swiss authority (e.g. representation of the country in which they are domiciled) before they reach the age of 22 or declare that they want to keep their Swiss citizenship (right to opt in). Otherwise, they will lose the citizenship that they acquired at birth.

Swiss nationals domiciled abroad can apply to be discharged from citizenship if they hold or have been guaranteed any other nationality. Applications should be made via the responsible representation.

Obligation to perform military service

Compulsory national service (i.e. military service or alternative civilian service) applies in Switzerland. Swiss citizens who live in Switzerland are required to enlist for national service at the age of 18.

Swiss nationals who live and work abroad are exempt from the obligation to perform military service in times of peace. They can do military service on a voluntary basis.

Swiss nationals with dual citizenship who have fulfilled military obligations in their other home country are, according to Swiss law, exempt from the obligation to perform military service.

Obligation to perform military service for Swiss nationals with dual citizenship

Domicile determines the extent to which Swiss nationals with dual citizenship are obliged to perform military service:

If Switzerland is the country of domicile, the obligation to perform military service is comprehensive

Swiss nationals with dual citizenship who live and work abroad are, according to Swiss law, exempt from performing military service, provided they have fulfilled military obligations in their other home country (military service or financial contribution in lieu). However, they are liable to pay military service exemption tax to the Confederation instead

Social insurance and Swiss nationals abroad

In principle, individuals who are domiciled in Switzerland and/or who work in Switzerland are subject to Swiss social security insurance. Under certain conditions, this insurance is also an option for individuals domiciled abroad.

The responsible representation will, on request, provide you with information about social insurance for Swiss nationals abroad.

The Agreement of 21 June 1999 on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) between Switzerland and the EU, which also applies to EFTA states, complements the right of free movement with the coordination of national social security systems in respect of old age, disability, surviving dependents, illness, maternity, occupational accidents and unemployment. However, the agreement does not cover social welfare.

The provisions of the AFMP apply to Swiss nationals abroad who live in the territory of one of the parties to the agreement.

Health and accident insurance

Individuals who live and/or work in Switzerland are subject to health and accident insurance on a compulsory basis. As a rule, Swiss nationals living abroad are personally responsible for obtaining adequate private insurance cover.